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The Manitoba Metis Federation (MMF) has doubled the reward for information about a missing woman.
An additional $10,000 has been added to the reward for information on Jennifer Catcheway – who was 18 years old when she went missing in June of 2008.
In July of this year, Jennifer’s mother Bernice Catcheway organized a search for her missing daughter in the Pine Creek area.
MMF president David Chartrand says it's been twelve years of searching, and that he knows there’s someone out there with information.
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- Contributed by Tess Kovach
Officials announced 4 new cases of COVID-19 in the Prairie Mountain Health region on Thursday, where there are now 15 active cases.
The province-wide COVID case total increased by 36, bringing Manitoba up to 2,029 total cases.
Winnipeg gained 28 cases today, while 2 of the new cases are in the Interlake-Eastern Health region, and 2 are in the Southern Health-Santé Sud region.
There are 621 active cases in Manitoba and 1,388 people have recovered. Fifteen people are in hospital and the number of deaths remains at 20.
Dr. Brent Roussin stated 1,803 tests were performed since yesterday, and explained that the average turnaround for a COVID-19 test in Manitoba right now is 2.5 days.
Beginning Wednesday, Oct. 7 the use of non-medical masks in Manitoba Health facilities will be extended to doctors’ offices. Anyone seeking treatment in or visiting a health-care setting operated by the provincial government will be required to bring and wear a non-medical mask.
Today the federal government’s COVID Alert app launched in Manitoba, and health minister Cameron Friesen encouraged Manitobans to download the app.
Dr. Brent Roussin explains that when downloaded on your phone, the app will send an alert that you’ve been in contact with someone that’s tested positive of COVID-19. Roussin says public health would then recommend the individual get tested, self-isolate pending results, and then self-monitor for symptoms.
The Manitoba health minister says some groups are telling him the app only becomes useful when a minimum of 60% of people download and use it — but added that number might be even higher.
For up-to-date information about COVID-19, click here.
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- Contributed by Tess Kovach
Canada’s COVID Alert app is now active in Manitoba.
The app notifies users if they come into contact with a person who’s tested positive with COVID-19, and directs them on what to do next.
The app doesn’t access the user’s location or private information, and instead uses Bluetooth to detect COVID exposures.
Manitoba is the 5th province in Canada to adopt the app, which is already in use in Ontario, Saskatchewan, New Brunswick, and Newfoundland and Labrador.
For more information and to download the app, click here.
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- Contributed by Tess Kovach
Fire crews battled a fire in the north end of Swan River last night.
Around 8:15, the Swan River Fire Department was dispatched to a fire at Spruce Products Ltd.
When they arrived, crews found the fire involved a conveyor system and incinerator building.
Mutual aid calls were sent out to the Bowsman, Minitonas and Birch River fire departments because of the size and complexity of the facility.
A quick knockdown by first on scene crews contained the fire to the single structure and no other damaged was sustained at the mill.
The departments cleared the scene around 2 a.m.
There aren't any damage estimates, or injuries reported and the cause remains under investigation.
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- Contributed by Isaac Wihak
The early bird deadline is fast approaching for the Neepawa & District Medical Committee Farm & Leisure Lotto.
To get in the early bird draw happening on Sunday, October 4th, tickets must be purchased before 7 p.m. on Saturday, October 3rd.
The early bird prizes include a John Deere Gator, or $10,000 cash.
The final draws are happening on November 1, with a selection of prizes this year valued at over $150,000.
The final day to purchase tickets for the final draw is October 31 at 7 p.m. Tickets can be purchased at NeepawaLotto.com, or the toll-free line at 1-877-876-8555.
You'll be able to find Alec Woolston in the CKDM cruiser in Neepawa on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday leading up to the early bird draw.
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- Contributed by 730 CKDM
Some prescribed fires will be happening in Riding Mountain National Park over the next two months.
Officials say the park will remain open to visitors during the prescribed fires, although some areas may be closed for short periods of time to ensure the safety of visitors.
The fires are part of the park’s grasslands restoration project, which officials say works to reduce the danger of wildfire to the public, while improving the ecological health of forests and grasslands.
The areas that are targeted this year will be located between the Lake Katherine Road and the Whirlpool River, and between the south part of the Grey Owl trail and Highway 10.
The fires will be happening between October 1st and November 30 — when weather conditions permit.
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- Contributed by Matt Hamel
5:15 a.m. Update:
The frost advisory ended at 4:27 this morning for these communities.
- Gilbert Plains Mun. incl. Ashville
- Grandview Mun. incl. Valley River Res.
- Mossey River Mun. incl. Winnipegosis and Fork River
- Mun. of Ethelbert incl. Garland
- Mun. of Roblin incl. Makaroff Shortdale and Bield
- Mun. of Russell-Binscarth incl. Gambler Res.
- R.M. of Dauphin incl. Sifton and Valley River
- R.M. of Lakeshore incl. Ochre River and Makinak
- R.M. of Lakeshore incl. Rorketon and Toutes Aides
- R.M. of Riding Mountain West incl. Asessippi Prov. Park
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A frost advisory is in effect for southwest Manitoba, with an overnight low tonight in Dauphin forecasted at minus 2 degrees.
Frost may damage some crops in frost-prone areas, and Environment Canada is encouraging preventative measures to protect frost-sensitive plants and trees.
The frost advisory is in effect for:
- Gilbert Plains Mun. incl. Ashville
- Grandview Mun. incl. Valley River Res.
- Mossey River Mun. incl. Winnipegosis and Fork River
- Mun. of Ethelbert incl. Garland
- Mun. of Roblin incl. Makaroff Shortdale and Bield
- Mun. of Russell-Binscarth incl. Gambler Res.
- R.M. of Dauphin incl. Sifton and Valley River
- R.M. of Lakeshore incl. Ochre River and Makinak
- R.M. of Lakeshore incl. Rorketon and Toutes Aides
- R.M. of Riding Mountain West incl. Asessippi Prov. Park
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- Contributed by 730 CKDM
Public health officials announced 40 new cases of COVID-19 on Wednesday, bringing the total number of cases to 1,993.
Manitoba has 599 active cases, with 1,374 people recovered and 20 deaths due to COVID-19.
There are currently 13 people in hospital, with seven in intensive care.
Today’s cases are broken down by location as such:
• two cases in the Prairie Mountain Health region;
• two cases in the Interlake–Eastern health region;
• one case in the Northern health region;
• four cases in Southern Health–Santé Sud; and
• 31 cases in the Winnipeg health region.
None of Wednesday cases are in the Dauphin health district, where all 7 cases are listed as recovered.
The chief provincial public health officer strongly encourages Manitobans to reduce the number of close contacts outside their household, and avoid closed-in or crowded spaces. In addition, they recommend Manitobans focus on these fundamentals to help stop the spread of COVID-19:
• Stay home if you are sick.
• Wash/sanitize your hands and cover your cough.
• Physically distance when you are with people outside your household.
• If you cannot physically distance, wear a mask to help reduce the risk to others or as required by public health orders.
Public health officials say they only want individuals experiencing COVID-19 symptoms to go for testing.
For more of the latest information on COVID-19 in Manitoba, click here.
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- Contributed by Matt Hamel
Are you going to have to cancel your big Halloween bash this year? And what recommendations are health officials giving when it comes to trick-or-treating?
Manitobans looking for public health guidance regarding Halloween festivities will have to wait a bit longer for some definitive advice from Dr. Brent Roussin.
Manitoba’s chief provincial public health officer says a special advisory committee is working on a document to help inform Canadians on the safest way to enjoy Halloween during the pandemic.
Dr. Brent Roussin says that document is nearing completion, and will likely be where we get our guiding principles.
“We need to prepare that it’s not going to look the same as other years. There are numerous points of contact when trick-or-treating. They are brief interactions, but when you add it all together, it could have a significant impact.”
Roussin says that public health guidance is expected in the coming weeks, to help Manitobans make an informed decision regarding their Halloween plans.
“It’s certainly going to look different than it normally does. We have to limit the amount of contacts,” said Roussin.
October 31st falls on a Saturday this year.
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- Contributed by Matt Hamel
A new mobile COVID-19 testing site has opened in Winnipeg.
The mobile site will initially add immediate additional capacity in Winnipeg while new drive-thru sites are being set up. After that, the mobile site can be moved around to other communities in the province should they require an increase in capacity due to a spike in cases.
Three new drive-thru sites are being set up in Winnipeg with the option for a fourth.
The province says more drive-thru sites will be opened in Dauphin, Brandon, Portage, and Winkler in the coming weeks. Additional information about those locations will be provided as sites open.
The province is reminding Manitobans that only those experiencing COVID symptoms should get tested, and they should be tested as soon as possible when symptoms are present.
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- Contributed by Isaac Wihak
Rossburn Elementary School is closed today.
The Park West School Division says the town is shutting off the school’s water supply while working on water lines.
The school will be reopened tomorrow.
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- Contributed by Isaac Wihak
